Col d’Orcia is one of the most active producers in Tuscany in terms of research and development, guided by the principle that wine quality results from achieving a perfect balance between the vine and its environment. A philosophy that ensures a consistently stunning drop, vintage after vintage.

Col d’Orcia History

Col d’Orcia is one of the oldest established wineries of Montalcino, beginning in 1890 when the Franceschi family purchased the property then known as Fattoria di Sant’Angelo in Colle. It wasn’t until 1933 when the Brunello wine was presented at the Wine Exhibition of Siena, decades before Brunello would become a prized, world-class wine.

Brothers Leopoldo and Stefanco Franceschi inherited the property and divided their holdings in 1958. The terms of the separation prohibited either brothers from using the existing Fattoria di Sant’Angelo in Colle name. Stefano named his farm Col d’Orcia.

With no heirs to leave the property to, Stefano decided to sell the property to the Cinzano family in 1973, who were active in the wine and spirits business world for many generations. The Cinzanos used their extensive sales network to distribute the early vintages of Col d’Orcia, contributing to the fame and recognition of Brunello on world markets.

Col d’Orcia’s Mission

Col d’Orcia literally means “the hill over looking the Orcia River,” indicating the very place the vineyards lie and confirming the bond Col d’Orcia has to the land and environment they farm on. The team at Col d’Orcia believe that for a wine to be a true expression of the land, the grapes must be of the highest quality standard, and they’ve continuously taken the steps to ensure their grapes are of the upmost quality.

When Marone Cinzano bought the Col d’Orica property in 1973, the land was home to a variety of crops including wheat, tobacco, olives and grapes, of which only a few hectares were dedicated to. The plantings reached 70 hectares by the time Francesco Marone inherited the property, which he then continued what his father started and got the count to the current level of 140 hectares. Of these 140 hectares, 108 are designated to Brunello, making Col d’Orcia the third largest owner of Brunello vineyards in Montalcino.

The first thing Francesco did when he took over the vineyard in 1991 was build new vinification systems and ageing cellars updated with the best technology, which were equipped to handle double the capacity to accommodate the expanding production he had planned.

He also wanted to expand the research and development started by his father, which included the research of Sangiovese cloning with the University of Florence and consulting with oenologists. Francesco wanted to continue the development of this research, as well find new ways to use science and research to improve his wine while respecting the environment around him.

With their high values in regards to the environment which Col d’Orcia operates on, the winery made the decision in 2010 to produce in lines with the organic farming certification process, and in doing such became the largest organic wine producing farm in Tuscany.

Furthermore, in 2018 Col d’Orcia took the next step and adopted full biodynamic practices on the farm in order to enhance the effectiveness of the tools available to organic farmers and achieve the necessary balance of health and productive plants. They never forget that wine is alive and needs time and space to express itself.

Today, as the winery continues to push the limits for research and development, they continue work with the University of Florence and are never afraid to change their practices and experiment with new techniques in order to produce the highest quality grapes possible.

Their current key projects include the cloning of Sangiovese grapes, density of planting ensuring that each terrior contains the optimum number of plants per hectare that provides the best balance of production for the given soil and climate, the production of biodiverse cover crops, cloning of Moscadello grapes, winter pruning techniques, and canopy management.

The Wines

2017 Col d’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino

Colour: Ruby red with violet hues

Bouquet: The scent releases pleasant fruity notes, black cherry and jam, followed by the classic hints of spices and vanilla
Palate: In the mouth it is a warm wine, with ripe and clear tannins. Intense and persistent leads to a long finish

2013 Col d’Orcia Poggio al Vento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

Colour: Intense ruby red

Bouquet: Elegant and complex bouquet with fruity notes as cherry, blackberry and blueberries combined with tobacco hints, licorice aroma and toasty scents

Palate: Powerful, elegant and balanced wine with ripe and enveloping tannins. The finish is pleasantly fruity, sapid and persistent

2019 Col d’Orcia Chianti Gineprone

Colour: Intense ruby red

Bouquet: Ample and complex, with pleasant balsamic notes, licorice, candied fruit complemented with the scents of the oak

Palate: Good structure, evident tannins that  highlight the acidity well balanced with the body of the wine. Persistent and pleasantly spicy aftertaste

2020 Col d’Orcia Rosso di Montalcino

Colour: Deep ruby red with violet hues

Bouquet: Ample and complex, with typical fruity notes as blackberry  and cherry perfectly balanced with the spicy scents from the oak

Palate: Very good structure, soft, but evident tannins balanced with a pleasant acidity. Long, fruity and savory aftertaste

2014 Col d’Orcia Sant’Antimo Olmaia Cabernet Sauvignon

Colour: Deep ruby red with shining purple reflexes

Bouquet: Aromas  of ripe red fruits, blackberries and typical notes of red pepper perfectly balanced with the spicy vanilla-flowered notes from the oak

Palate: Rich and complex, good acidity supported by an excellent structure. Deep and lasting aftertaste

Museum Release Vintages

1999 Col d’Orcia Poggio al Vento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Magnum

Colour: Deep and dense ruby red with light garnet hues

Bouquet: Different olfactory notes, still fresh, with a perfect balance between the oak spices and the varietal fruits. The balsamic notes invite to a long olfactive analyses before the tasting

Palate: Well-based acidity, the powerful body envolopes mature tannins and reveals a rare and complex flavour. Thick and pleasant sensations rise from mid palate leading to an aftertaste of great harmony and elegance

2013 Brunello di Montalcino Double Magnum

Colour: Ruby red with violet hues

Bouquet: Complex and elegant. The huge fruity notes as the red berry, are perfectly balanced with the spice from the oak

Palate: Wine of excellent structure, full and persistent with soft ripe tannins. The aftertaste is sapid and pleasantly fruity

1998 Brunello di Montalcino Double Magnum

Colour: Deep ruby red with yet youthful hints

Bouquet: Complex, fresh, full bodied and deep. The spices from the oak are deftly combined with the pleasant fruit

Palate: Of great effect: the impressive tannic structure is wrapped up in a generous, almost creamy, body issuing multidimensional taste feelings. The primary fruit and the positive evolution of the long ageing in the oak are perfectly integrated leading to a noble and elegant aftertaste

1981 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Six-Pack

Colour: Deep and dense ruby red with light garnet hues

Bouquet: Inviting, potent and elegant, with berry fruits, integrated in perfect harmony with hints of vanilla and oak

Palate: Decisive but delicate tannins that conquer the palate and achieve harmony with the active but discreet acidity, maintaining a long finish